[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 August 2009, 05:01 GMT]A programme has been launched in the ‘internment camps’ in Vavuniyaa to prevent anaemia and other nutritional deficiencies among children and expectant mothers following the detection by health authorities large number of children and would be mothers affected by such deficiencies. Micronutrient vitamins, Thiamine, Ribo Flavin, Niacin, and Folic acid were administered to 2,900 expectant mothers at the Cheddikulam welfare camps. In addition, 40,000 children were provided with nutrients to prevent anaemia and other nutritional deficiencies on Thursday.

Family Health Bureau, UNICEF and Saving Lives organization which is funded by UNAIDS participated in the Multiple Micronutrients Programme Thursday.

Expectant mothers to be in Zone One of the Cheddikulam camp, watched the UNICEF programme while an UNICEF Representative told them of what was being done.

The young mothers are eager to follow instructions, said health
official at the Internally Displaced Camps said. "We explained to them the need for the vitamins, the minerals during pregnancy. We have told them that if they want healthy intelligent babies, they would have to follow instructions given by us," she said.

In Zone Three, around 250 mothers carrying children below the age of five stood in queue to get the sachets of vitamins and mineral supplements for their babies.